Product Specification 03102 

(Revision E, 10/2003) 

3161 Governor 
for Control of Engines and Steam Turbines 

Application 
The 3161 governor is designed for speed
control of diesel engines, gas engines, or steam
turbines. The variety of standard features and
available options makes the governor ideal for
use in a wide variety of applications which
require work capacity of up to 24 Nm (18 lb-ft).  Isochronous or
Applications include off-highway vehicles, droop control
industrial, marine, generator set, compressor, or
pump drives.  Manual, electric,
3161 operation can be isochronous for accurate
pneumatic speed
constant speed or frequency control, or droop setting options
for load sharing. The amount of droop may be
changed internally or with an optional external
 Manual, electric,
lever. hydraulic
shutdown options
The governor has its own sump for quick startup
response. Direction of rotation of the governor  Fuel limiting
drive is set at the factory, but can be changed in options
the field by turning the pump housing.
Torque Rise to limit high speed torque, and Low  Torque rise, low
Idle Offset to provide increased low speed, no- idle offset options
load stability, and reduce undershoot and
stalling are among the many governor options.  Terminal position
indicator
Description   Operates with
The 3161 is a mechanical hydraulic governor capable of droop or isochronous engine oil or self-
operation. A variety of speed setting, fuel limiting, and shutdown options may be contained sump
added to the cover of the governor, making it extremely versatile for a variety of
installations.  Directly
interchangeable
The 3161 uses an integral Gerotor pump, driven by the governor drive shaft, to
with the UG8
provide hydraulic oil pressure. Oil pressure within the governor is maintained by a
relief valve accumulator. Governor drive is 5/8" 36 or 5/8" keyed (16 mm). The 3161
can be equipped with a standard UG8 base and standard UG8 terminal shafts.
A rotating ballhead and pilot valve plunger assembly controls the flow of hydraulic oil
that operates the governor power piston and terminal shaft. A spring-driven, oil-
damped ballhead is available to dampen high-frequency, low-amplitude torsional
vibrations.
Pressure compensation provides governor stability. Compensation is adjustable with
a needle valve to match governor response to the engine. Pilot valve bushing porting
and special springs in the compensation system can be specified to vary governor
response.
 Woodward 03102 p.2

Specifications 
Control Characteristics
Steady State Speed Band Less than ±0.25% of rated speed.
Output Travel 42° maximum. Woodward recommends use of 60% to 70% of the travel
from no load to full load.

Work Capacity
Three work capacities are available: 10 Nm (7.5 lb-ft) maximum or 8 Nm (6 lb-ft) useful with 690 kPa (100 psi)
internal operating pressure. Maximum stalled torque is 14 Nm (10 lb-ft).
20 Nm (15 lb-ft) maximum or 16 Nm (12 lb-ft) useful with 1379 kPa (200 psi) internal operating
pressure. Maximum stalled torque is 27 Nm (20 lb-ft).
28 Nm (21 lb-ft) maximum or 24 Nm (18 lb-ft) useful with 1379 kPa (200 psi) internal operating
pressure and larger servo. Maximum stalled torque is 38 Nm (28 lb-ft).
Droop
Two ranges are available: Adjustable for a 0 to 5 rpm decrease in speed setting per degree of terminal
shaft travel to increase fuel.
Adjustable for a 4 to 9 rpm decrease in speed setting per degree of terminal
shaft travel to increase fuel.
Installation And Construction
Governor Designed for vertical operation, but can be tilted up to 45° from vertical.
Standard Governor Drive 5/8"-36 SAE serrations. 5/8" keyed drive shaft is also available.
Terminal Shaft (Output Shaft) May be either or both sides. The location is the same as the UG8.
100 psi Governors Have either 0.500"-36 SAE serrated or 0.562" diameter flatted output-shaft
design.
200 psi Governors Have either a 0.625"-36 SAE serrated or 0.625" diameter flatted output-shaft
design.
Case and Base Cast aluminum. Internal parts are steel.
Governor Drive Characteristics
Drive Shaft Rotation Direction Either clockwise or counterclockwise according to the orientation of the
pump housing on the case.
Maximum Drive Speed Ranges From a minimum of 400 rpm to a maximum of 1600 rpm. Constant speed
operating range is from 1000 to 1500 rpm.
100 psi Governor Requires 186 W (1/4 hp) maximum.
200 psi Governor Requires 280 W (3/8 hp) maximum.
Oil Sump Capacity
Governor Sump Holds 1.7 L. The governor can be self contained or connected to engine oil.
SAE 10 to 50 weight oil is recommended for governor operation.
Viscosity At operating temperature should be from 100 to 300 SUS. In most cases the
oil used in the engine is satisfactory for use in the governor.

Technical Manual 03101

 Woodward 03102 p.3

Vibration Resistance
Vibration Tested to tracked vehicle specifications.
Weight
About 18 kg (40 lb). Exact weight determined by option package.
Operating Temperature
–29 to +107 °C (–20 to +225 °F) (with proper viscosity oil).
Optional Features
Most governor options are installed on the cover of the 3161 governor. The options can extend the overall height of
the governor, as measured from the base, to 478 mm (18.8 inches). The nominal height of the governor, without any
options, is 364 mm (14.33 inches).
Speed Setting
Manual 0.500"-36 SAE serrated Speed Adjusting Shaft. Mechanical attachments
typically use 15 to 20 degrees of the shaft's rotary travel for mechanical
drive applications.
Electric Uses a 24 Vdc permanent magnet motor. Polarity is reversed to raise and
lower the speed setting. Separate voltage adapters are available to convert
115, 230 Vac and 32, 125, and 250 Vdc to the required 24 Vdc. Maximum
life of speed setting motor is 250 000 raise/lower commands.
Rate of Speed Setting change is typically 730 governor rpm/minute on a 24 V system.
Pneumatic Standard pneumatic speed setting ranges are for 69/690 kPa (10/100 psi),
34/310 kPa (5/45 psi), and 69/413 kPa (10/60 psi). 21/105 kPa (3/15 psi) is
also available. The bellows in the pneumatic speed setting option can
operate at pressures up to 828 kPa (120 psi). The pneumatic speed setting
option can be designed for any pressure under the maximum.
Ballhead Damping
Solid Ballhead Drive Standard. A spring-driven, oil-damped ballhead is available.
Governor Limiting
Manual Load Limiting and an extremely accurate Manifold Air Pressure fuel limiter (straight line schedule only) are
available.
Torque Rise Limiters are available with precise dual or triple slopes. Torque Rise is used to limit high rpm torque,
allowing the engine to develop a broad, flat torque curve.
Low Idle Offset increases engine stability at low idle, no load by increasing droop when these conditions are present.
This feature also reduces engine speed undershoot during rapid speed-setting decreases.
Governor Shutdown
Manual Shutdown. To initiate a shutdown, the threaded handle can be pushed down or tilted in
any direction. It can be used in conjunction with the electric or pressure
shutdown.
Electric Shutdown Uses a 24, 32, or 76 Vdc electric solenoid, either energize-to-run or
energize-to-shutdown. The electric shutdown can be used in conjunction
with the manual or pressure shutdowns.
Pressure Shutdown 276 kPa (40 psi) air or hydraulic pressure causes shutdown. The device
resets when pressure drops below 138 kPa (20 psi). It can be used in
conjunction with the manual or electric shutdowns.
 Woodward 03102 p.4

For more information contact:

PO Box 1519, Fort Collins CO, USA 80522-1519
1000 East Drake Road, Fort Collins CO 80525
Tel.: +1 (970) 482-5811  Fax: +1 (970) 498-3058
www.woodward.com

Distributors & Service

Woodward has an international network of distributors and service facilities.
For your nearest representative, call the Fort Collins plant or see the
Worldwide Directory on our website.

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creating or becoming part of any Woodward contractual or warranty obligation unless
expressly stated in a written sales contract.
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